Sectioning during Extractions

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are experts at extracting teeth safely and with minimal inconvenience to the patient. When it is necessary for a tooth to be removed, our doctors want the patient to be fully informed about their procedure so they’ll understand the importance of sticking to their post-op care instructions. Some extractions are more complicated than others, and in those cases, we may section teeth prior to removing them.

Sectioning is the process of breaking a tooth apart and extracting the separate pieces. After the patient has been numbed and sedated, we’ll cut a flap in the gum tissue around the impacted tooth. We will then use a drill to cut the tooth apart while keeping the surgery site continuously bathed in water to prevent heat damage and remove debris. The separate sections can be lifted out with forceps and flat spoons called elevators, and the surgical site can be sutured shut.

Although the process of sectioning may sound intimidating, it actually allows us to work through a much smaller incision in the gum than we would otherwise. Cutting the tooth apart also allows us to remove it with much less force, particularly if the roots curl in different directions. If you are nervous, we can discuss different sedation options. With the wisdom teeth removed, a patient will be at much less risk for gum infections and overcrowding.

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operates in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA.

 

Avoiding Dry Sockets

We’re proud to say that dry sockets are rare at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. This complication following a tooth extraction is extremely unpleasant, but it is also avoidable in most cases if the patient follows simple instructions. Although only about 2-5% of people who get extractions suffer from dry sockets, we wanted our patients to better understand them so that if they get an extraction, they won’t be hearing their post-operative instructions for the first time.

A simple extraction is one in which the tooth is rocked until it can be lifted out with forceps. Complex extractions involve gum incisions and may require the tooth to be sectioned. A dry socket can result from either, though it is more commonly from the latter. Usually, blood clots would close off the empty socket, protecting it from irritating debris and pathogens, but sometimes the blood may fail to clot or the scab may come loose. If this happens, the socket will dry out painfully and be at risk for infection.

Three of the biggest risk factors for dry sockets are smoking, birth control pills, and the use of straws. The estrogen in pills can prevent blood from clotting, while smoking can dissolve the clot and suction can pull it loose. We also advise patients to avoid brushing near the extraction site on the first day after the procedure and to avoid solid foods. The socket may be cleaned with a salt water rinse.

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Everyone has a set of wisdom teeth behind their visible molars, but this set of ‘final molars’ often stays impacted.  Some patients experience these teeth beginning to erupt, usually between the ages of 17 and 24.  Even when that happens, there is not enough space in the mouth for these wisdom teeth to grow, which is why the doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania typically recommend extraction. 

Keeping wisdom teeth too long can cause oral discomfort, headaches, damage the surrounding teeth and put a patient at risk for infection. If you experience swollen or tender gums around the wisdom teeth, jaw pain, or facial swelling, give us a call. We can determine if you need your wisdom teeth removed, and discuss sedation options and procedure with you.  The procedure will include stitches and some down time, but following instructions, a patient’s recovery shouldn’t take more than a week.

To learn more about your wisdom teeth and all the services we provide at the practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141.

Sectioning Teeth

When tooth extractions are difficult, patients come to the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania. There are many reasons why a tooth may need to be extracted, but when it is impacted or has very large, curved roots, a more complicated extraction process may be necessary. Those extractions often require the tooth to be sectioned.

Sectioning a tooth means splitting it up and removing the individual pieces. This requires less force than trying to pull the entire thing out at once and is less likely to hurt the jaw bone. Often, this is done during wisdom tooth extractions. While drawings of molars conventionally represent them as having two roots, the upper ones often have three and can be tricky to pull, especially when they are at an angle. By drilling them into pieces and pulling out each section, we eliminate the need to twist them around, lessening the chance that a root will break off. This also means there are fewer ligaments anchoring each section. Sectioning a tooth does not make the extraction process painful for patients; they are kept numb and a steady stream of water prevents the drill from overheating.

Drs. Bahram,Richman, Mohan and Dieu operate at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania at 2546 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19145. To schedule an appointment, call 215-463-4141 or visit Oral Surgery PA and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are the third and last molars on each side of the upper and lower jaws. These teeth usually emerge between the ages of 17-25. When wisdom teeth are impacted, however, they will not erupt and put the patient at risk for infection. If this is the case, our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania will likely suggest extraction. Allow us to explain the consequences that impacted wisdom teeth may cause.

Impacted teeth usually don’t bring upon symptoms, so yours may be impacted without you even knowing. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth will cause pain and because they are hard to clean, they become prone to tooth decay and periodontal disease. If wisdom teeth are impacted and extraction is suggested, our oral surgeons will discuss the extraction procedure with you in full before performing the surgery.

If your wisdom teeth are causing you pain, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

Extracting Wisdom Teeth

The relative ease at which the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania can extract your wisdom teeth depends on their position and their stage of development. Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes these teeth can be a valuable asset to the mouth when healthy and properly aligned, but more often, they are misaligned and require extraction.

Not all wisdom teeth need to be extracted, but sometimes the wisdom teeth cause pain. If there is swelling, infection or intense pain, then priority needs to be addressed to getting those wisdom teeth extracted as soon as possible. Wisdom teeth are often impacted. An impacted tooth is one that gets blocked as it is pushing through the gum into your mouth. An impacted tooth can be painless, but it can also lead to a bacterial infection.

If your wisdom teeth are impacted and causing you pain, give us a call today to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.oralsurgerypa.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania located in Philadelphia, call 215-463-4141. 

The Process of a Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom teeth can be the sources of great pain and great pleasure. Pain, because when they are impacted, they hurt. Pleasure, because there are many funny YouTube videos of still-sedated patients after their wisdom teeth have been taken out. Here at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, we want our patients to understand the process of a wisdom tooth extraction to prepare ahead of time.

To extract the wisdom teeth, your dentist will make an incision in the gum tissue to expose the tooth and bone. Any jawbone that needs to be removed to access the tooth will then be removed. The tooth is rocked back and forth until it is loose enough to be pulled out. Occasionally, a wisdom tooth will need to be broken into several pieces before being removed. Afterward, the area is stitched together and gauze is placed over the site to control bleeding.

It is recommended that you relax for the rest of the day and avoid any strenuous activity until the wound is healed. Soft foods should be eaten for the first twenty-four hours, adding in harder ones as the healing progresses. Drink plenty of water, but do not drink through a straw as this can cause more bleeding. For more information about care after an extraction, please visit our website.

If you believe your wisdom teeth are growing in, schedule an appointment with us for an examination. To schedule in our Philadelphia, PA office, call us at (215) 463-4141 or visit the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania website, www.oralsurgerypa.com. 

Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth?

If wisdom teeth don’t really supply us with wisdom, then what purpose do they serve? Anthropologists believe wisdom teeth, or the third set of molars, were the evolutionary answer to our ancestor’s early diet of coarse, rough food – like leaves, roots, nuts and meats – which required more chewing power and resulted in excessive wear of teeth. Fast forward to today, and take a look at what we are eating and more importantly how we are preparing our food. We cut, dice, chop, boil, steam and bake everything we eat.

Chewing these tough, coarse, and rugged foods required a broader jaw, and strong molars – including the wisdom teeth. Having all three molars was vital, in order for our ancestors to be able to eat the foods necessary for survival. These days, however, all of the food preparation has made eating easy to accomplish, in fact experts believe that our jaw line has become less broad and smaller over the years due to how food is prepared and consumed.

Many times, however, wisdom teeth don’t have room to grow properly and can cause problems. When they do, the Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania can provide you with the best care possible. For more information about wisdom teeth, contact us in one of our Philadelphia, PA area locations today. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Oral Surgery Consults of Pennsylvania, call 215-463-4141 or visit www.oralsurgerypa.com.  

Wisdom Teeth

Should you get your wisdom teeth removed, even if you’re not experiencing any pain or problems? In most cases, the answer is yes.  That’s because properly aligned wisdom teeth are a rarity.  More often than not, wisdom teeth create issues as they start to erupt--growing in crooked or only partially emerging—or they become impacted and compromise the gum, bone and surrounding teeth.  Cyst and tumors could even form around an impact wisdom tooth and require involved and costly surgery.

 

To prevent these and subsequent problems, wisdom tooth removal should be completed proactively. The procedure is often simple and straight forward.  Sedation and anesthesia eliminates any pain and discomfort.  After the wisdom tooth removal, you will need a day of rest and basic aftercare, which may include medication and compliance with a soft diet as not to compromise the healing process.  A follow up appointment may be needed to remove stitches and assess the health of the gum.

 

If you are in need of wisdom tooth removal, or if you’re not sure if you should undergo this procedure, please view out website for complete information:http://www.oralsurgerypa.com/oral-surgery/wisdom-teeth.html. We look forward to answering any questions you may have.